Franchise FAQ

Is COBS Bread a member of the Canadian Franchise Association?

We’re a proud member of the CFA! We’ve received the Franchisees’ Choice designation for seven consecutive years, as well as the Silver Award for Excellence in Franchise Achievement.

What’s the initial purchase cost for a COBS Bread bakery?

The initial investment depends whether you plan to purchase a new or existing bakery. The cost of a new location ranges from $650,000-$750,000. The cost of an existing location can be anywhere from $300,000-$1,000,000. Take a look at this page for more information on initial costs.

What is the minimum amount that I need to put towards my franchise purchase?

You will require 30% of the total investment in cash or liquid assets. For a new bakery purchase, this is approximately $250,000.

Will COBS Bread help me with financing?

It’s your responsibility to secure financing, and we recommend talking to your financial adviser or institution. However, COBS Bread have established special packages with several major Canadian banks, and we can help you get in touch with our partners once we have your application.

What are the ongoing fees?

COBS Bread charges franchisees an ongoing Royalty Fee of 7% of weekly sales. Franchisees also contribute a Marketing and Advertising Levy of 3% of weekly sales. Some other franchise fees and charges may apply from time-to-time, and these are all detailed in our disclosure document.

Do I need previous baking experience?

COBS Bread franchisees are hands-on in all aspects of their business, including baking, however you don’t need to have any previous baking experience to own and run a COBS Bread franchise. We’ll give you a full baking education alongside comprehensive sales and business management training.

Will I have to be in the bakery every day?

To be successful as a COBS Bread franchisee, you need to be regularly involved in the day-to- day operations of your bakery. You’ll be most active in your first year, and spend more working hours on site. Once your bakery is at a point where it’s being managed effectively, we’ll guide you as you scale back your hours and find your ideal work/life balance.

What hours would my bakery need to be open?

Your hours will depend on the flow of foot traffic around your bakery, but a typical bakery’s public operating hours are 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Sunday.

Can I bring in an investor/business partner?

We allow spousal and family partnerships. If you’re interested in having an investor or business partner other than your spouse or family member, talk to our Franchising team for more information.

Are franchisees able to have multiple locations?

Absolutely! Across our franchise network (Canada, Australia, New Zealand), 40% of bakeries are owned by multi-site franchisees. If your goal is to own more than one location, our support team can work with you to put a plan in place.

What locations are available at the moment?

COBS Bread is expanding across Canada, and we’re excited about the potential! Click here to see available locations.

Am I able to choose my own location?

COBS Bread will identify the site and conduct the lease negotiation, but we see it as a mutual discussion and decision. If you think a COBS Bread bakery will work in your local area, we would be happy to work with you to investigate possible opportunities, and we value your input in this process.

Once I apply, how long does it take me to become a COBS Bread franchisee?

After submitting your application you’ll join our discovery and approval process, which generally takes four to six weeks. After you complete the discovery process and commit to becoming a COBS Bread franchisee, the path to bakery ownership will typically take six to twelve months, and the COBS Bread support team will guide you through each step along the way.

How long is the training program?

The COBS Bread training program runs for 16 weeks, but can vary depending on how much time you need to be comfortable and confident in your baking, sales, and business management skills.

What’s covered in the training program?

Throughout the program, our training consultants will teach you everything you need to know about managing your COBS Bread bakery. This includes how to monitor and manage operations and finance, the full baking process, production planning, stock control, marketing, managing staff and wages, performance and recruitment management, occupational health and safety, and more.